Research Training in the Epidemiology of Aging

The aging of the United States population is highlighted by the need for increased research on diseases and disabilities that affect older persons. The objective of the proposed program is to train pre- and postdoctoral students to conduct independent and original research in the epidemiology of aging, with an emphasis on the prevention of late life disability and functional decline (i.e. tertiary prevention). The program will emphasize four broad substantive areas where training faculty have extensive gerontologic research experience and ongoing projects: musculoskeletal disorders; cardiovascular disease; women's health, and long-term care.

The training program is designed to enable trainees to 1)master a core curriculum in epidemiology and biostatistics; 2) become knowledgeable about the basic biological and psychosocial processes of aging which are fundamental to gerontology; 3) become expert in at least one substantive area relevant to the prevention of disability and functional decline in the elderly; 4) learn to contribute to a research team under the supervision of a primary mentor expert in a substantive area and a secondary mentor expert in epidemiology and/or biostatistics; and 5) demonstrate the capacity to conduct independent, original research.

The program will be located within the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (DEPM) of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Major strengths of the training program include: 1) integration into a small, well- established graduate program offering Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees in epidemiology and preventive medicine; 2) the availability of experienced mentors in substantive areas of aging research, such as epidemiology and biostatistics; and 3) many interdisciplinary training and research opportunities in the DEPM.and the University of Maryland (UM) System. The program director is recognized for his leadership nationally and within the UM System; as such, he is in an excellent position to foster the development of trainees though participation research programs locally and nationally. The program will be guided by an external advisory committee of nationally-recognized experts in interdisciplinary and gerontological research and training.

Jay Magaziner, Ph.D., M.S. Hyg.
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine
660 W. Redwood Street, Suite 200
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
410-706-2406

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